Vulcanizing press



DSC. 19, p DE MATTIA VULCANIZIN PRESS Filed Jan. 14, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 /NV/fNTo/e A ATTO Nay( Dec.l 19, 1933.

P. DE MATTIA VULCANIZING PRESS Filed Jan. 14, 1930 8 Sheets-'Sheet 2 Byimwff Dec. 19, 1933. p, DE MAT-HA 1,940,582

VULCANI Z ING PRESS Dec. 19, 1933. P. DE MATT|A 1,940,582

VULCANIZING PRESS Filed Jan. 14, 1930 8 SheetS-Sheet 4 @a y@ @maza ATTOR EK( Dec. 19, 1933. P DE MATTlA 1,940,582

VULCANIZ ING PRESS Filed Jan. 14, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 19, 1933. P. DE MATTIA kVULCANIZENG PRESS Filed Jan. 14, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 19, 1933. P, DE MATTIA VULCANIZING PRESS Filed Jan. 14, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 DeC- 19, 1933. P, DE MATTIA VULCANIING PRESS Filed Jan. 14, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 A fr0/r E y;

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Patented Dec. I9, 1.933

unirse sra es cargar OFFICE Y 1,940,532 VULCANIZING PRss Peter De Mattia, liasl'saic, N. J., assigner to National Rubber Machinery Company, Akron, `Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Y Application January i4,

` 44 claims. l

gether in the final closing movement; with novel means for breaking the adhesion of the mold sections in the initial opening movement; with novel means to facilitate placing of the unvulcanized tire or article in the mold cavity as well as to strip it therefrom after vulcanization; and

in general to provide an apparatus which will be` simple in construction, strong and. durable in service, and rapid and eflicient in operation.

Specifically, the invention contemplates a tire vulcanizing press presenting a pair of opposedY platens or holding members hingedly' connected together and which are adapted detachably to support a pair of opposed annular mold sections.A The n'rioldsectionsV are grooved" in their meeting faces whereby tov define between thema mold cavity within `which the tire to beY vulcanized is confined and subjected to heat and pressure,`

the heat being Vsupplied by steam or the like circulate'd through jackets which surround the mold cavity, and the pressure being applied by inflating the tire (as by means of an air-bag or waterbag) within the mold cavity.

In order to swing one of the platens with reference `to the other, a novel power mechanism'is provided, which includes a pressure cylinder pivotally supported intermediateits ends between a pair of rock arms associated with the swinging platen and which extend rearwardly from its hinge connection. .A double acting piston, operatively "disposed Within' the cylinder, has a piston `rod which` extends throughthe lower end of the cylinder forV connection with a powermultiplying mechanism for locking and unlocking the press, and this power-multiplying mechanism functions to draw the swinging platen down with great force in order to clamp the mold sections tightly together in the look-up of the press as well as to break or force the mold sections apart in the initial opening of the press. The stroke of the piston is considerably less than the` Working length of the pressure cylinder, and the.

arrangement is such that in the initial opening movement, the piston moves `upwardly in the cylinder and actuates the power-multiplying mechanism to unlock the press and to break the` 1930 serial No. 420,667 (on V18;-1'1) mold sections apart, whereupon the piston'cor'nesl to rest and the `cylinder' moves downwardly on. the piston and, by acting through the arms on.` which it is supported, swings ythe movable platen to its fully open position; a i The press locking means acts substantially centrally through the platens so` as to distribute its powerful clamping pressure uniformly over theV mutually engaging annular surfaces of the mold sections, and comprises disengageable cooperating members respectively associated with the two' platens. The locking member of the swinging f platen is in thenatur'e of a rugged blocksup- `ported for slight arcuate movement on an adjustable eccentric shaft journaled on said swinging platen. -This block extends down Vthrough the center of the swinging platen and the mold section carried thereby and is formed at its lower end with a socketfor the reception of the upper end of -a locking post associated with the fixed platen and which extends up' through the`V center .of said platen and the vother mold section mounted T thereon. The interior of said socket and the exterior of the upper end of said post are provided with buttress-shaped lugs or teeth of substantial proportions, which are alternately engaged and disengaged in the closing and opening-operations respectively. The locking post of the "fixed platen is pivotally supported at its lower endon orbetween a pair of swinging guide arms disposed in the base of the machine, and these arms are so arranged as to carry out a substantially axial movement of the locking post at one stage in `effectingitl'le locking andV unlocking of the press, and a foreand-aft rocking movement of the upperven'd thereof at a different stage iii-effecting its lengagement and disengagement with and from' the depending locking block of the upper swinging platen. Such movements of the locking post are effected by the aforementioned power-multiply ing mechanism, which vpresents a system of toggle links forming an operative connection between .the locking post andA the pistonfro'd of the pressure cylinder. The upper end `of the locking post is slightlytapered for engagement with a similarly formed end wall of the socket in the locking block, so that in theiinitial open ing of the press, said post will act upon' the locking block to break the mold sections apart.

Another feature off the invention is the provision of means for automatically rimming upf the tires within the press and for facilitating the insertion and removal of the tires. For this pur pose, each of the mold, sections is `equipped with a ring member which is adapted yto be seated in an appropriate groove in the meeting face of the corresponding mold section, each ring member comprising a cylindrical portion and an annular flange portion for engaging the corresponding bead of the tire. yThe cylindrical portions of the ring members have their meeting edges formed with cooperating bevels so as to render the ring members self-alining, and each ring member ismounted for limited movementv axially with reference to the mold section withwhich it is associated. As the press is opened, the ring member of the ixed mold section is moved out of its seat, through the medium of certain links and levers connected with the3pressure cylinder, and thus the tire is stripped autoj matically from the fixed mold section; and at the same time, the ring member of the upper` or swinging mold section is left free to drop by gravity out of its seat. The lower ring member` is continuous, whereas the rupper ring is made up of a plurality ofY segments which render it automatically contractible and expansibie.

The'foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention ,will be readily understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein-the Vinvention has been shown by way of il* lustration, and wherein Fig. 1 Ais a side elevation, partlyin section, oi one form of vulcanizing press embodying the in-v vention, and showing the press closed and locked;

Fig. 2 is a similar view sho-wing the press unlocked and broken open;

Fig. 3 is another zview similar to Fig. 1, but

' showing the parts in fully open position;

fifir Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the press;

I Fig. 5 is a face view of the lowermold section, and a transverse section through the locking mechanism, taken on line 5 -5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6` is a vertical transverse sectional view taken approximately on line 6,-6 of Fig. 1, with some parts broken away;

Fig.17 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view through the power-multiplying toggle,;mechanism, with the parts in the sameA relation as in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a similar sectional view with the parts in the same relationas in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is` asubstantially horizontal view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view similar -tc Fig. 5, but on a larger scale,showing the locking bloei; and Apost in engagement; 1

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, but with the `locking block and post disengaged;

v 0r base 11, andan upper swinging platen.V or bed 12. The low'er platen or bed 10 is provided at the rear with a pair of spaced-apart knuckles or arms 13, the upper ends of which are bifurcated and apertured for the reception of axially alined hinge pins or shafts 14 (Fig. 4). `The upper swinging platen12 is likewise provided with a pair of spaced-apart arms 15 which enter the vbifurcated ends ofthe arms 13 and are pivotally sectional` supported therein by the hinge pins or shafts 14. V The hinge arms l5, instead of being integral with vthe swinging platen l2 (as they might be) are made separate Atherefrom and are secured to suitable ribs 16 on the upper side of said platen by means of bolts 17 and 18, the bolts 17 having a fairly snug fit in said arms and ribs, while the lbolts 18 have a `comparatively loose fit in the `meeting faces of which are grooved to provide an annular mold cavity 22, within which a tire 23 is adapted to be confined during vulcanization.: Ad-

jacent the inner. periphery of the mold cavity 22,v

the ,rnold'sections 2Q and Y21 are respectively formed with annular recesses 24. and 25 for the reception ofibead-conning rings which, .as will later be explained, facilitate the vinsertion andv removal of the tires. The mold sections are individually heated bythe circulationof steam or other heating fluid through heating chambers or jackets 26 and 27, such steam being supplied andV drained throughfsuitable piping not shown in the drawings.V By thus providing the mold sections directly with heating jackets, a better and more uniform cure is obtained, and this is'especially advantageous when molds of different sizes are to be used interchangeably in thepress.V If desired, however, the heating chambers may be formed directly and permanently in the press platens.

In order to swing .the upper platen l2 "and its associated parts to Vopen' and closed positions, there is employed a pressure cylinder 30', which is provided 'at its vopposite sides, and intermediate its ends; with bosses 33 (Fig. e) bored to accommodate pins or trunnions 34 which support. the cylinder pivotally between the extensions 35 of the hinge arms 15 for'the swinging platen. Due to the fact that the extensions 35 are disposed rearwardlyof the hinge, pins 11i, the cylinder 3() and its associated parts serve, at Aleast partly, to

counterbalance the weight of the upper swinging platen.. Head-"members 36 and 37 serve as clo.- sures for the opposite ends of the cylinder 3Q, the head member 37 having a stuffing box 38 through whicha piston rod 39 is slidable. A double acting piston 40 is secured to the inner end of the piston rod 39 to operatewithin the cylinder, while the lower .end of the `piston .rod is connected to a power-multiplying mechanism 31, as will later'be explained. y Y

Fluid, such as water, under pressure is admitted to and exhausted from the opposite ends of the cylinder 30 through flexible conduits 41 and 42 and pipes 43 and 44, underthe control of a fourway cock or other` suitable valve 45, which is manually operated by means of a handle 4S.

1n its upward movement, the piston 40 is limited to a strokeless than theworking length of the cylinder, by the abutment of the lower end 48 of the piston rod against a fixed stop 49 in its path (see Fig. 1), and after the piston is thus arrested, I

continued pressure in the lower end of the cylinder causes the cylinder itself to move bodily downward on the piston, thereby swinging the upper platen 12 and its associated parts to fully open position as shownin Fig. l3. As the cylinder 30 reaches the downward limit `of its movement, the free end of a dog 50, which is pivotally supported at 51 on the cylinder head 3'7, slides under and engages a suitable shoulder 52 on the'lower lend 48 of the piston rod (Figs. 7 and 8), whereby shoulder 52, and this is accomplished'by means of an arm 58 fast to a shaft 54` rotatable in the base of the xed platen 1,0, and which is adapted to be rocked by means of aforwardly extending lever 55 at one'side of the press, said lever 55 having a handle portion 56 convenient to the operators station at the front of the machine. As the arm 53 rocks rearwardly, its rear edgeengages and pushes against a pin or lug 50EL which extends outwardly from the side of the dog 56.

Preferably, the operation of the lever 55 and the actuation of the valve are coordinated in such manneras to require the use of both handsof the operator in effecting or initiating the closing movement of the upper platen; To this end, he valve handle 66 and the forwardly extending lever 55 are arranged .in sideeby-side relation, and the handle 46 is provided'with a laterally pro- 'jecting pin 46e which extends over the lever 55.

The lever 55 has a triangular stoplmember 55a disposed in the path or movement of the pin 46a and presenting an abrupt shoulder portion 55b which engages said pin i6EL and normally preivents rearward movement of the valve handle 46 when the press is opened (see Fig. 2). When the lever 55 is moved downwardly, however, to disengage the dog 50 from the shoulder 52, the stop member a is moved out of the way of the pin 46a. (see Fig. 1) ,leaving the handle 46 free to be swungV rearwardly to release the pressure from the lower end of the cylinder and to admit pressure to the upper end thereof. By `thus requiring the oper-l ator to use both of his hands in closing the press,

"it is impossible for him accidentally to have either of his handscaught and crushed between the mold sections as the press is closed; n

The two platens are locked in closed relation by clamping means 32 arranged to act substan- -tially centrally of the platens so as to distribute its kpowerful clamping pressure uniformly over the entire engaging surfaces of the mold sections. Such clamping means comprises a locking block asso-ciated with the swinging platen 12, and a cooperating locking poet 61 associated with theY fixed platenli), said block and post being adapted to be engaged and disengaged alternately, and when engaged constituting, in eect, a continuous link acting to draw the upper platen 12 'downwardly toward the lower platen 10. The block 60. which extends downwardly through the center o-f the upper platen 12 and the mold section 21, is adiustably secured at its upper end to an eccentric portion 62 oi a shaft 63 journaled at itsopposite ends in longitudinal webs 64 on the upper side of said platen' 12 (see particularly Fig. 6). Due to the adjustable eccentric connection between the block 60 and the supporting shaft 63, the block may be set at different" effective heights in varying the clamping pressure on the mold sections.

In order that theblock 60 may have a slight but limited rotation upon the shaftV 62, it isV formed at its extreme upper end with a boss 65,

,having a fore-and-aft recess or socket-66 containing a compression spring..6'7. One end of'. said compression spring'bears against the bot` torn of the recess 66, while its other end presses rearwardly against the inner end of a plunger 68.

At its outer end, which is rounded as indicatedl at 69, the plunger 68rnakes sliding contact with astop surface 76 at the', upper side ofthe platen. The plunger 68` and spring 66 `thusact to vswing the block 66 in a counterclockwise direction; as viewed in Fig. l. and such movement is limited by the abutment ofl the forward end of the boss against the head `'71 or" .an adjustable stop' formed with relatively `long teeth which are caused engage and disengage-by a compound.

movement of the locking post. In other words,

due to the yieldable mountingof the block 6l),v

it automatically adapts itself to the post 61, such that their teeth may cooperate in-a smooth and easy fashion.

At its rearward side and at its lower end the block ois formed witha grooveor socket '74, the walls of which, as best shown in Fig. 6, `are formed with a series of buttress-shaped lugs v'75 having relatively flat upper surfaces. Instead of being in vertical alinemenuthe lugs 75 are preferably arranged in upwardly converging steps or series for the purpose of more satisfactorily distributing the stressesv through the material of the block. v v

Referring Anow to the post 61, it is likewise vformed (at its upper end) with a stepped series of buttress-shaped but revetrfsely` disposed lugs 76 to cooperate with the lugs 75 of the block 6G, the engagement and disengagement of these lugs being brought about by the fore-and-aft swing-l v ing of the upper end of the post 61. It may here 4 be noted that'the upper o-r inner' end ofthe socket '74 of the block 60 is preferably formed withk a slight taper, as at 77. and is adapted to-.be engaged by the upper end of the post 61 which is correspondingly tapered as at 77a, these contact-f ing surfaces enabling the post 6l, by a slight up# ward movement, to force the mold sections apart,

in the initial opening of the press.

Adjacent its lower end, the'lockingf post 61 is pivotally connected at 79 to the lower end of a pair Vof toggle links 8() which form a part of the power-multiplying mechanism 31 before alluded to, `and which not only support the post 6l but' cooperate in moving the same into `and out of engagement with the block 60. The toggle links 80 are arranged at opposite sides of the post 61V (see Fig. 6) and have their upper ends pivotally connected at 81 to secondpair of'toggle links 82, which in turn are pivoted at 83 to the lower fixed platen 16. The upper togglelinks 82 are :i

will swing the links82 abouttheir fulcrurns'83V ina counterclockwise direction (thereby-A break-j ing the toggle joint), until the movement ofthe piston is arrested by the'stopflQ in `the manner before described, at which time the links 82 will stand in a substantially horizontal position,a's shown in Fig. 3. Inthus swinging upwardly, vthe links 82 act through the `other set of links 80 5 rearwardly to break its' engagement completely with the block 60.

In order to guide and direct the locking post 61 in its compound movement, it is formed with an enlarged base portion 87 which is pivotally connected by pins or shafts 88 to the free ends 89 of a pair of vertically movable swinging arms 90. These arms 90 are arranged within the base portion V1l of the press, one at each side, and are pivotally mounted as at 91 in said base portion. Coiled compression springs 92 are placed below the swinging guide arms 90 for the purpose of yieldingly supporting ormaintaining the locking Vpost 61 and connected parts in their raised condition and preventing the post from dropping too rapidlyinA the closing of the press.

It is to be noted, however, that'the upward swinging movement of the arms 90 is limited by their abutment against a stop bar 99Ct before the piston 49 has reached its upward limit of movement as defined by the stop 49. As a result, the pins 88 become xed fulcrums about which thel locking post 61 is swung to disengage its` teeth from thosefofV the locking block 60 in' the action of the toggle system, and they will,v

because of their pivotal connection with the post .at a point ('88), rbelow that (79) at which the toggle system is pivoted thereto,l cause theupper end of the post in its upward movement to swing.'

rearwardly after the arms 90 have been arrested by the stop bar 99a, and conversely, cause the post in its downward movement to swing forwardly at its upper end. the post 6l is automaticallyengaged with and disengaged from the depending block 60 in the closing and opening movements of the upper 7 platen, it being remembered that the pivotal yielding mounting of the block 60 onv saidupper platenl facilitates its cooperation with the post 61. The guide arms 9() thus act inconjunction with the toggle system to insure the proper move- Vments of the locking post at all times. After the post 61 is moved upwardly by the toggle links 8), it will be moved Vbodily rearward by virtue rof the fact that theV pivotal connection at 38 becomes a fixed fulcrum, but of course the Adisengagement of the post from the locking block 60 is not eiiected immediately. It is for this reason that the tapered surfaces 77 and 77a are provided on these members, these surfaces maintaining contact until after the post has been raised suiiicientlyrto break the `mold sections apart by the upward thrust ,of the'locking post.

The purpose in making and breaking connection between the locking block 60 and locking post 6l is two-fold; Firstly, since the link connection formed by the engagement of these parts passes centrally thru the press for the reasonsV already explained, the breaking of the connection is necessary to permit the insertion and removal ofthe tires in andfrom the mold sections. Secondly, since said link connection is opt is in this way that erative only during the initial opening andthe final closing movements of the press, the breaking of the connection enables-the two parts to be made relatively short and avoids the necessity for a toggle system with an excessive throw. There are other factors involved, but the two points mentioned will serve to emphasize the value and advantage of thepresent construction.

While the toggle links and 82 are intended primarily to perform the functions and operations above described, it will be clear that they will also act to clamp the mold sections tightly together when they `are straightened out as shown in Fig. l. tions are brought together and before the toggles are straightened out in the closing of. the press, the locking post 61 becomes 'engaged with the locking block 6o (see Fig. 2)Y and, once these parts are engaged, the toggles act immediately to draw the mold sections toward each other with aV true toggle action, exerting `a powerful clamping pressure on theV mold sections as the links are finally straightened out. the toggle links do not need to pass dead center or evento reach it, as a slight displacement will not materially aiect the clamping pressure. In this respect itfmay be noted-that overthrow of the outside toggles is prevented, in the illustrated embodiment, by a binding Vengagement of the arms S2@L against therearredges of the links 82 as indicated at 82X in Fig. l, as well as by the abutment of the pin 34 with the rear side of the post 61. yAs an additional precaution, the arm 95 of the inside toggle-101is formed with a protruding portion 95X (Fig. 7) which isadapted to bear against the rear edge of the block105.

l Notwithstanding 4the great clamping pressurerugged than the otherI and is mainly relied upon to develop the high clamping pressure which is needed in holding the .moldsections in tight contact during vulcanization. To convey some idea of the pressures being discussed, it may be stated that the present press is capable of giving a 150-V ton pressure between the platens with a cylinder pressure of only` 300 lbs. to the square inch. The second toggle system, like the rst, acts upon the platens through the locking post 61 and, forthisreason, the two systems are arranged for synchronous operation, acting together in applying the clamping pressure to the platens but the f first system acting alone in separating the platens, as intended. v Y

Referring now in detail 'to ,the second toggle system (best shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9) it cornprises a pair of toggle links in the nature of' solid blocks, an upper one 101 corresponding to the toggle links 82 of the first system and, like the links 82,A having an integralv operating arm 95 corresponding to the arm 82a, and a lower one 165 corresponding tothe toggle links 80. The arm 95 is bifurcated at its free end 96 to straddle the lower end 48 of the piston rod, to which it ispivoted by means of the same pin 84 which connects the piston rod to the arms 82a of the toggle links 82. The toggle block 101 is formed at its upper end with a wear plate 97 having a rounded face 98 which bears against and makes rolling- That is to say, before the mold sec- In actual practice,

and sliding contact with the lower surface 99 of 10, the mounting being such that the toggle block will rock about an axis substantially in line with the pivotal axis 83 of the toggle links 82. At its lower end, and near the axis 31 of the links 80 and 82, the block 101 is fitted with a pressure block 102having a gear tooth 103 engaged between a pair of gear teeth 104 formed on the lower toggle block 105 at its upper end and adjacent its front corner. At its lower end,ibutladjacent its rear corner, the toggle block 105 is also formed with gear teeth 106 mating (near `the pivotal connection 79 of the toggle links 30 with the post 61) with a fragmentary gear formation 107 on a wear block 108 secured to the upper side of the base portion 87 of the lockingpost 61. As clearly shown in the drawings, the lower end of the locking post 6l is bifurcated `as at 109, so that the toggle blocks 101 and 105 can operate within said bifurcated portion. As before stated, the toggle links 80 and 82 are disposed at the outer sides of the lockingpost. j

From the foregoing, it will-be clear that the toggle blocks 101 and 105 are loosely supported at the lower end of the locking post 6l, the end 97 of the block 101 having rolling and sliding engagement with the fixed surface 99, and the block 105 being held against displacement by the engagement oi the gear teeth 103, 104,and 106, 107. As pressure isadmitted to the upper end of the cylinder 30, and the dog swung to unlocking position, the cylinder will first move upwardly, swinging the platen 12 down toward` the fixed platen 10, and subsequently the piston 40 and rod 39 will move downwardly. As the `piston rod 39 thus descends, it will straighten out the first toggle system as shown in Fig. 1, swinging'the upper end of the post 61 forwardly'into the socket 74 and drawing the same axially downward in the manner before described. The same downward movement of the piston rod 39 will simultaneously straighten out the second toggle system as also shown in Fig. 1 creating a 'great pressure between the xed pressure .plate 99 and the base plate 108 of the post-6l. A

Beside the gear teeth 103, the wear block 102 has a relatively nat surface 110 (Fig. 7) which is adapted to be engaged by afslightly convex upper surface l1`1 of the block 105 when the toggle approaches dead center. Itis this very `slight bulge of the surface 111 which effects the nal powerful clamping action by taking up any .looseness or play in the toggle links and levers 82. To prevent overthrow of the toggles, the lower end 112 of the block '105 is flattened and'adapted to Aseat upon' a similarly formed upper side 113 of the bottom wear block 108, which also has, at itsv front edge, a shoulder portion 114 toassist in InaintainingitheV block` against dislodgment. It will now be seen thatthe second toggle system, composed-of the looselyjointed blocks 101 and 105, will serve only` to exert a clamping pressure between the platens in the closed condition of the press, the first toggle system alone being active in opening the press. It has been found that the loose mounting of the toggle blocks 101 and'105 is particularly eiectivein producing the maximum clamping pressure desired, there being no lost motion at the joints and little or no turning friction generated when the toggles are exerting heavy pressure in clamping the mold sections together.` The adjustable mounting of the locking block V60 on the upper platen,ias before stated, enables the clampingpressure to be varied as desired, the adjustment serving in effect to lengthen or shorten the link connection between `the mechanism for stripping the vulcanized tires from the mold cavities as the press is opened. Such mechanism, as best shown in Figs.. 1 to Sand 10'to 14, comprises essentially a solid annular ring member 120 asspciated with thelower fixed mold section `20, and an expansible and vcontractible.

ring' member 121 associated with the upper swinging mold section 21;

The lower ring member .120 presents a substantially cylindrical body portion. 122 having at its..

lower side and on itsouter periphery an'annular flange 123 which is adapted to receive and support the lower beadportion of the tire 23, and said iiange together with the adjacent portion of the body 122 are adapted to seat in the annular groove 24 of the lower mold section 20. -Adjacent its lower side, the ring member 120 is tapered or cone-shaped on its inner.v periphery as indicated at 124, to correspond with the base wallof the mold cavity; while at its upper side, and on its innerl periphery, the ring member is tapered or cone-shaped in a reverse direction, as indicated at `125, to receive the.` entering side of thel upper ring member 121. Also, atits upper side but on its outer periphery, the ring member is beveled or chamfered, as at 126, to facilitate placing of the lower bead of a tire on the cylindrical surface of the ring body 122.l and against the upper side ofthe flange 123. A

A plurality of vertically movable rods 129, preferably four in number andspaced substantially equidistantly about the periphery of` the ring i member 120; have their upper ends secured to said ring member and depend through suitable openings in the mold section 20 and lplaten 10 for the purpose of moving the ring member 120 axially into and out of the groove 24. At their lower ends,

the rods 129 rest upon' a similar number of suitably guided push rods, two 130 at the front and two 131at the back and having enlargedv heads 132 and 133 respectively for engaging the lower endsof'said rods 129. At their lower ends, the rods 130 and 131 are pivotally attached, as at `134 and 135, to the forward ends of av pair of levers.`

cylinder 30 moves downwardly to open the press;

the links will act upon the levers 136 to raise them at the forward vends and cause the push rods 130 and 131 to lift the rods 139 and force the ring member 120 upwardly out of its seat inthe groove 24. In thus moving upwardly, the ring member 120, by reason of the engagement vof its annular'iiange portion 123 withfthe lower bead mold cavity and position it above and out'of const with the Walls oi the mold cavity (see Fig. 3).

portionof the tire, will strip the tire from the Cil of a number of sections, including an upper cylindrical body portion 141 and a plurality (preferably four) of lower segments 142.. At its upper side, the body portion 141 is provided on its outer' peripherywith an annular, flange 143 similar tov the ilange 123, but adapted to engage against the upper bead of the tire and hold the same inprop'- erly spaced relation to the lower bead.V Adjacent its lower side, the body portion 141 is provided with an annular groove 144 and afianged portion `145 which function to support the segn'lentsv 142. best shown in Figs. 12 and 14, each of the segments 142 is formed with an inwardly extending' annular flange 146 for disposition within the annular groove 144, and the body portions of said segments extend inwardly and underlie the annu; lar flange portion145 of the member` 141. The meeting ends of the adjacent segments 142 4are beveledoif substantially as indicated at 14'7 in Fig.- 13, and adjacent said ends the segments are attached to the body portion 141 by means oi screws or dowel pins 148 and 149.

The screws 148 and 149 are anchored in the body l operation.

portion 141 of the ring member and are formed with cylindrical ends 150 of reduced diameter which extend through the annular groove 144 and through the iiange portions 146 of the respective segments 142. The lower ends 150 ofthe screws 148 and 149 are loosely received in slots 151 and 152 of each segment 142, so that all the segments will be capable of slight limited movement with reference to the body portion 141 of the rin-g member.A As best shown in Fig. 13, the slot 151 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the adjacent endl47 of the corresponding segment, whereas the slot 152 extends in a substantially radial direction. By virtue of this arrangement, the segments 142 will be capable of movement such as to expand and contract as the ring member is moved into andfout ofv its seat 25 in the4 upper mold section .21.

The inner periphery of the body portion 141, as well as the upper portions of the inner peripheries Vof the segments 142, are tapered or cone-shaped as indicated at 154 to correspond with the base wall of the mold section 21, whereas the lower portions of the inner peripheries ofthe segments 142 are reversely tapered or cone-shaped, as indicated at 155, so as to conform to the base walll of the lower mold section, within which said innerends of the segments 142 are adapted to enter. Adjacent the lower side of the ring member, the outer peripheries of the segments 142 are chamfered, as indicated at 156, so as to permit the ring member easily to enter the upper bead of the tire and to seat snugly'within the tapered or cone- `shaped upper side 1250ic the other ringY member 122. From this it'will be apparent that the engagement of the segments 142 within the coneshaped portion 125 of the ring member 120 and against the base walls of the mold sections 2O and 21 will accurately determine the diameter of the entire series of segments during the vulcanizing The body portion 141 ofthe ring member 121 f is secured to the threaded lower ends 158 of four equally spaced-apart suspension rods 159, which extend through suitable openings in the mold section 21 and platen 12, and the upper ends Vof which project through suitable bosses-160 on the upper side of said swinging platen 12 (Fig. 4) The 1, are spaced above suitable 'washers 16-2 on the upper ends of said bosses 160. The lower ends of the holes,- through` which the suspension rods 159 slideY in the upper platen 1.2-, are counterbored as at 169 to receive compression springs 170, 'the upper ends ef` which'bear against the bottoms. oil the counterbores, while their lower ends bear against collars 171 which are secured to the rods v159". As the press isopene'd, the springs 170" act to force the ring 121 out of its seat in the groove 25, and thus maintain the ring 121 in engaging. relation with the ring 121 and with'the tire until the press has opened suiiiciently to cause abutment of the stop washers 162 with the stop nuts 161. In this initial opening movement, the vulcanized tire is positively stripped from the upper half off the mold cavity, and thereafter the ring 121 is carried bodily upward with the swinging platen.-

-When the press stands open, as in Fig. 3,;the operator places a tire 23, having an iniiating bag 128v within it, upon the ring member120, the lower bead of the tire being abler to be seated easily by virtue of the conical surface 126 of said ring. Then as the press is closed, the lower beveled sides 156 of thesegments 142 enter the upper bead of the tire, and in engaging the bead, said segments are moved slightly inward in a general radial direction so that the cylindrical portions of the segments enter and engage the base of the bead. As the closing movement continues,the mold section 21 follows the ring member 121 toward the tire so that said ring member becomes seated in its groove 25 against the .pressure of the springs 170, and in this final closing movement, the Vcone--sl'nrped base wall of the mold section 2l acts upon the. tapered inner surfaces 154 of the segments to expand the same against the inner periphery of said upper bead of the tire.

The water bag 128 has its inner periphery formed with a circumferential V-shaped rib, corresponding to the conical surfaces 126 and 156 of the ring members, and is providedwith one or vmore inflation valve stems 163, for the accommo- The operation of the improved vulcanizing' press is as follows: Y

When'the press stands open, the upper platen 12 and its ,associated parts occupy the position shown in Fig. y3, with the piston 40 vat the upper end of the cylinder 30 and held in such position by engagement of the locking dog with the shoulder 52 on the lower end 48 of the piston rod 39. The togglelinks 82 and 101 are substantially horizontal, and the locking post 61 has its upper ,end disposed at one side of the center of the fixed mold section 20.k The lower tirefsupporting ring `12() is supported out of its seating groove=24 in the lower mold section 20 by virtue ofthe engagement of the lower ends of the rods 129 with the upper ends of thepush Vof the press, the attendant or operator places 1, u

an unvulcanized tire 23, which has a Water-bag 128 arranged Awithin it, upon the ring member 120 with its lower bead resting against the annular` iiange 123. Hethen connects the innating valve stem 163 to the pressure supply line by means of the coupling 165, so that the pressure can be applied to the interior of the bag 128 when the press is closed.

The operator then depresses the handle portion 56 of the lever 55, so as to disengage the dog 50 from the shoulder 52, `andwhile holding said lever 55 in its downward position, he pushes the valve handle `56 rearwardly through an arc of substantially 90, so as to actuate the valve 45 to admit pressure tothe upper end of the cylinder SOand'to open the lower end of said cylinder to the exhaust line. As a result, the cylinder moves bodily upward and acts through p the arms an'd'l5 to swing the upper platen 12 downwardly about the axis of the hinge pins 14 to a position substantially as shown in Fig. 2. When the cylinder comes to rest, the piston commences to move downwardly under the in* fluence of the same pressure in the upper end of the cylinder, and acts through the piston rod 39 to swing the toggle arms. 82a and 95.down wardly. As these arms swing downwardly, the connected toggle linksl and` 82 and 101 and 105, respectively, are gradually straightened out, causing the upper end of the locking post 61 to swing forwardly into the socket 64 at the lower end `of the locking block 60 and bringing their respective teeth or lugs '76 and 75 into engagement, so that the block 60 and post 61 become j in effect a continuous link by which the toggles draw the upper platen 12 downward to its nall ly closed position. As the'toggle approach dead together under a powerful clamping pressure.

- In the i'lnal mold clamping movement, the an-` nular flange portion 143 and upper side of the Y portion of the bag 128.

center, the post 5l, now being fully 'engaged with the block 60, willbe `drawn straight downwardwith great force to lock `the mold sections As the cylinder 30 moves upwardly in the initial closing operation, it acts through the links 140 to rock the lever arms 136 in a counterclockwise direction, which causes the push rods 130 and 131 to move downwardly, followed by the rods 129 and the ring member 120, thus ace curately positioning the tire 123 in the mold cavity of the lower mold section 20. As the closing operation continues, the upper ring member 121 approaches the tire 23, and the segments 140 thereof move inwardly a suiiicient amount to permit their passage within the upper bead of the tire and to engage the corresponding base As the cone-shaped portions 155 of the segments 142 enter the cone` shaped base wall of the lower mold section 20,

said segments are forced slightly outward against the tire bead and into theexact position they should occupy during the vulcanizing operation.

ring body 141` enter the groove 25 in the upper mold section 21, so as properly to confine `the tire for the vulcanizing operation. At or near the end of the press closing operation, the valve 166 is actuated to inflate the bag-126 and eX- pand the tire 23 underthe desired pressure against the heated walls 'of the mold cavity 22 sion of pressure tothe lower end `of the cylinder 30 and for the exhaust of pressure from the upper end of said cylinder. As the cylinder pressure is thus reversed, .the piston .40 moves upwardly until it is arrested by theengagement.

of the piston 'rod 39 with the stop 49. Thisup- .wardxmovementoi the pistonrod` 39 swings the arms 82a and 95 upwardly, breaking the power yo the two sets of the toggles, and causing the locking post 6l `rst to move bodily upward in breaking the mold sections apart (Fig. 2), and its upper` end then to swingrearwardly out of the socket 74 in breaking connection with. themold section 'by the actionof the springsl 170, v

leaving.` the tire Vfreely supportedy by the lower ring member 120 and entirely out of contact with any "of the heated walls of the mold. The opera tor then disconnectsvthe coupling 165 from the inflation valve stem 163, whereupon he can with ease y'remove the vulcanized tire from the supporting ring` 120 and replace itwithanother unvulcanized tire, after which the `above `described cycle'of operations may be repeated.

From the foregoing it will be evident that an improved'vulcanizing press has been provided, inwhich the mold sections arevtightly drawn togetherrand locked in closed relation bya novel power mechanism, and `furthermore, that the insertion and removal of the tiresare greatly facilitated byimechanical manipulation. While the press `has been disclosed as equipped for manual control, it is equally `well adapted for` automatic control by a` time measuringmechanism, suchthat the press will be automatically opened and the vulcanized tire automatically Vstripped from the mold cavity at theend of a definitevtime period. In fact, rthe inventionV is ,susceptible of' numerous modications in the details of construction and in `the arrangements of parts, and therightis herein reserved'to make such changes as fall within thescope ofythe appended claims without departingcfrom the spirit of the invention. i

While the improved press has been shown herein as adapted to tire molds," it should be understood that it may be used in'connection `with molds for other articles.` In the appended claims, of course, the reference vto platens is intended to apply to any form of mold supporting member` and not merely to a flat bed' or plate Vsuch as shown.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim is:

l. A vuloanizing press comprising Va pair of opposed platens, one fixed and the other movable, a powerful toggle system comprising unconnected toggle members xfor clamping'the two platens tightly together `in the closed condition ci; the press, and a second less powerful toggle system for forcing the platens apart in the initial opening of the press.

2. A vulcanizing press comprising a` pair of.v

opposed platens, one fixed and the othermovable;Y

and two distinct toggle systems, one more powerful than the other, for .clamping the two platens tightly together in the closed condition of the press and comprising unconnected toggle memlbers, the less powerful of said toggle systems initialV being operative independently in the opening of the press to force the platens apart.

l 3. A vulcanizing press as in claim 2, including,

as an additional element,V common means for operating both of said toggle systems in unison.

4. YA-vulcanizing press as in claim 2, including,

as an additional element, a pressure'cylinder for operating both of said toggle systems in unison. Y. 5.A vulcanizing press comprising a pair of opposed platens, one xed and the other movable, a` toggle system for clamping the two platens tightly together the closed condition of the press, means forA automatically connecting nected therefrom.

Y '7. A vulcanizing press is in claim 2.wherein the toggle systems have a limited range of action, and, including, as additional elements, means for automatically connecting and disconnecting the two toggle systems withvand from the movable platen in the closing and opening of the press respectively, and means for moving the movable platen toward and from the fixed platen'when the toggle systems are disconnected therefrom'to compensate for the. limited range of action of said toggle.v systems.

8. A vulcanizing press as in claim 2, including, asadditional elements, means for automatically connecting and disconnecting the two toggle systems with and from the movable platen in the closing and opening of the press respectively, and

a pressure cylinder for moving the movable platen toward and from the iixed platenwhen the toggle systems are disconnected therefrom.

.9. A vulcanizing press asin claim 2, including, as additionalmelements, means for automatically connectingl and disconnecting the two toggle systems with and from the movable platen in the closing and-opening of the press respectively, and

unitary meansfor operating the two toggle systems in unison and for moving the movable platenV toward and from the fixed platen when the toggle systems are disconnected therefrom.

10. A vulcanizing press as in claim 2, including, as additional elements, means for automatically connecting and disconnecting the two toggle systems with and from the movable platen inthe closing and opening of the press respectively, and a pressure cylinder for operating the two toggle-systems in 4unison and for moving the movable platen toward and from the xed platen when the toggle systems are disconnected there- K from.

llLA vulcanizing press as in claim 2, including, asadditional elernenta'means for automatically connecting and disconnecting thetwo togy gle systems with and from the movable platen in thev closing and opening of the press respectively, ,and a pressure cylinder for operating the two toggle systems in unison and for moving the movable platen toward and from the fixed platen when the toggle systems are disconnected therefrom, and characterized bythe'facty that the piston of the pressure cylinder operates the toggle system by .its own movement withinthe piston, while the cylinder operates the movable'platen by its own movement with reference to the piston.

l2. A vulcanizing press as in claim 2, including, as additional elements, means for automatically connecting and disconnecting 'the two, toggle systems with and from the movable platen in the closing and opening of the press respectively, and a pressurecylinder for operating the two toggle systems in unison and for moving the movable platen toward and from the fixed platen when the toggle systems are' disconnected therefrom, and characterized by the fact that the movable platen is hinged with reercnce to the xed platen and that the pressure cylinderis rockably` supportedV on `the movable platen by the opposite side or" its hinge connection. i i Y 13. A vulcanizing press comprising a pair o opposed platens, one iixed and the other movable, means for opening and closing the press, a toggle system operative to clamp the two platens tightly together in the closed condition of the press and to force the platens apart in the initial opening of the press, and power `means for operating said toggle system at the proper time.v

Y 14. `A vulcanizing press comprising a pair of opposed platens,A one iixedland the other movable, a toggle system operative to clamp the two platens tightly together in theclosed condition of thepress` and to force the platens apart in I the initial opening of the press, and a pressure cylinder for opening and closing the press independently of the toggle system and for operating said toggle system at the proper time.

. 15. A vulcanizing press. according to claim 14, wherein the movable platen is hinged with reference to the fixed platen, and characterizedby the fact that the pressureV cylinder is rockabiy supported on the hinged platen and has its: piston connected to the toggle system.

16. A vulcanizing press comprising a pair of opposed platens, one xed and vthe other movable, a toggle system for clamping the two platens tightly together in the closed condition of the press, power means for operating said toggle system, a link for connecting the'toggle system with the movable platen, said link comprising one section carried by the movable platen and another section permanently connected with the toggle system, andautomatic means for moving one of 'said link sections into and out of engagement with the other in thenal closing and the initial opening of the press respectively.

1'7. A vulcanizing press Vaccording to claim'lG, characterized by the fact that the engagement and disengagement of thev two link sections is effected by the movement of the second-menioned section.

18. A vulcanizing press according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that the engagement and disengagementof the two link sections is effected bythe movement of .the second-mentioned section under Vthe control of the toggle system.

19. A vulcanizing press according to claim 16, characterized by thefact that the engagement and disengagement of the twoV link sections is eectedrby the movement of the second-inentioned section under the control ofthe toggle system, and a swinging guide `arm connected to the second link section at a point beyond its pivotal connection with the toggle system.

20. A vulcanizing press according to claim 16, characterized by the `fact that one of the link sections is adjustable` axially to vary the effective length of the link so as thus to vary the clamping pressure exerted by the toggle system.

21. A vulcanizing press according to claim 16, wherein the movableplaten is hinged with reference to the iixed platen, and characterized by the fact that the power means therein referred to is `in the form of a pressure cylinder rockably mounted on the hinged section and having its piston connected to the toggle system.

22. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower iixed annular platen andan upper movable annular platen, and axially arranged means includ# ing a toggle system located wholly below the lower fixed platen .for drawing the platens to gether with a clamping pressure when the press is closed.

23. A vulcanizing pressv comprising a lower j fixed annular platen and an uppermovable annular platen, and axially arranged means including a toggle system located wholly below the lower fixed platen for forcing the platens apart when the press is opened.

, 24. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower xed annular platen and an upper movableannular platen, and axially disposed means'including a toggle system located wholly below the fixed platen for drawing the platens together under a clamping pressure when the press is closed and for forcing the platens apart when the press is opened. f y y 25. A vulcanizing press comprising a pair of opposed platens, a pressure cylinder' operative independently to move one ofvsaid platens toward and from the other, and centrally located locking means including a toggle system for tightly closing the press, said toggle systemhaving operative connection inder.` o v. i i

26. A vulcanizing press lcomprising a pair of opposed platens, a pressure cylinder operative independently to move one of said platens toward and from the other, and centrally acting means operable from said pressure cylinder to break the press open.

27. A vulcanizing press comprising a pair of opposed platens, a pressure cylinder operative independently to move one of said platens toward and from the other, and centrally acting means including a toggle system operated by said pressure cylinder to draw the platens ,tightly 'together in closing the press, and to forcethe platens apart in opening the press.

28. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower fixed platen, an upper movable platen, a substanitially central locking lug member depending from the swinging platen, a locking postY extending through the fixed platen and adapted fordetachable engagement with said locking lug member,

means supporting said locking post for a combined swinging and endwise movement, and

' power mechanism for actuating said locking post.

l29. A vulcanizing press comprising Ya lower fixed platen, an upper` movable platen, .toggle mechanism located below the fixed platen and arranged to act substantially centrally on the upper platen to force the platens apart in opening the press, and operative connections between swinging platen and extending rearwardly from t the hinge connection, aopressure cylinder pivotally mountedjin the ends Aof said arms, a piston `with said pressure c`yl.A

rthe toggle mechanism and the upper platen, said connections extendingthrough bothv platens. i 3,0. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower fixed platen van upper movableL platen, toggle mechanism located below the fixed platenand arranged to act substantially centrally onnthe upper platen tordraw thetwo tightly Vtogether inthe closed condition of thepress, and opera-` tive connections betweenthe toggle mechanism andthe upperiplaten, said connections extend-l ing to both platens.l i I i 31;A vulcanizing press comprisingV alower fixed platen, Aan upper swinging Vplaten hinged with reference thereto, and a pressure cylinder connected to the swinging platen for moving it toward and from the fixed platen, said pressure cylinder being movable bodily with the'swinging platen so as partly to counterbalance the Weight` thereof. v o 32. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower xed platen, and upper swinging platen khinged with. reference thereto, means including apressure cylinder and its cooperating pistonfor actuatingthe swinging platen, ksaid piston beingmovable within thewcylinder during a portion of the stroke, and the cylinder being bodily movable on the piston during the remainder of the stroke, means actuated by the movement of the cylinder for koperating,v the upper swinging platenand means actuatediby the movementV of the piston for locking and unlocking the press. i n

33. A vulcanizing press comprisingI a lower fixedplaten, an upper` swinging iplaten hinged with reference thereto, arms associated withthe lso ros

disposed within` said cylinder, and means r4for holding the piston against` endwise movement, whereby pressure within the cylinder will cause the cylinder` to movewith reference to the piston in moving ,the swinging mold section. ,I i

` 34. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower iixed platen, anupper swinging platen hinged with reference thereto, arms associated with the i2() swinging platen and extending rearwardly from the hinge connection, a pressure cylinder` Dil/fotally mounted'gin theends of said arms, aV piston disposed ,withinsaid cylinder, centrally located `means for clamping the swinging'platen in closed 1,25. relation to the fixed platen, means including a toggle connecting said locking means with said piston, and means for limiting the movement of the piston, whereby during a portion of the stroke, the piston will be stationary and the cyl- 13g) inder will move with reference thereto, as and f for the purpose described.

35. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower fixed platen, an upper swinging platen hinged with referencev thereto, a centrally located socket vmember depending from the swinging platen, a

locking post associated with the iixed platen, said locking post being adaptedto be moved into and out of said socket member when the press is closed, and being provided with lugs for engaging portions of the socket member to hold the swinging platen against opening movement and a single power means for moving the swinging platen and the lockingpost.

36. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower 145. j

and movable into and out of `said socket member .v

when the press is closed, said post and socket member being provided with cooperating buttress-shaped lugs to prevent opening ofthe press when the Vpost is engaged withinY the socket member. i I f 37. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower fixed platen, an upper swinging platen hinged with reference thereto, a centrallylocated socket member depending from the swinging platen, andaV locking post associated with ythe fixed platen and movable into and out of said socket Y member when the press is closed, said post and ing block depending. from the swinging platen and Vformed in one side and at its lower end with a socket vhaving a series of lugs formed inl its wall, a locking post extending upwardly through the fixed platen and having a series of lugs on its sides adjaeentthe upper end to engage those inthe socket when the press is'closed, and power means for drawing the locking post downwardly when engaged with the locking block vto clamp the two platens tightly together.

39. A vulcanizing press comprising a lower fixed platen, an upper swinging platen hinged with reference thereto, a centrally located locking block depending from the 'swinging platen and formed in one side and at its lower end with a socket having a series of lugs formed inv its Wal1`,-a locking post extending upwardly through the fixed platen and having a series joflugs on its upper end'to engagethose in the socketwhen the press is closed, and power means for moving the locking-post both downwardly andupwardly when saidlug's are engaged so as to'clamp the twoplatens together andto force-themv apart, respectively; l

LOJAA vulcanizing press as dened in claim 35, wherein the locking post is pivotally` attached at its lower Yend to a swinging guide arm. f l

"rol

el.' A vulcaniaing press .asl defined in claim', whereinthe locking post isfconnected to a toggle systemactuated-'by a pressure cylinder.` A

42. A tireV vulcanizing press comprising a xed annular mold section, a movable 'cooperating annular mold section, a tire'supporting `rim arrangedA to seatin the lrespective" 'mold sections at rtheir inner peripheries, said rim being com# posed of two separate ring members,"one carriecl Aby the movable mold section,`and the other associated with the iixed mold section, and auto'- matic means Yfor shifting the ring-member of the'fixed mold section into'and outof the same in the closing and opening Aof the press, the said two'ring members being beveled or cone-shaped, one at its inner periphery and the other at its outer periphery, so as to fit one withinl the other in the-'closed'condition of the press;

43. A tire vulcanizing press comprisingiaxed annular mold section, a movable cooperating annular mold section, a` tiresupporting rim arranged to seat in the respective moldsections at their inner peripheries, said rim being composed of two separate ring' members, onedcarried bythe movable mold section andmade vup of a plurality of segmentsto enable it to be contracted'and expanded, andthe other Abeing associated with the iixed mold section, and auto# matic means for shifting the ring member of the fixed mold lsection into and out of the same in the' closing and opening-of the press.'-

4e. A tire fvulcanizirig press-comprising a xed annular mold section, av movable cooperating an- Y into andout of said moldV section, the other'ring inember'being"associated with the xedimold section, andl automatic means for shifting the ring member of the xed mold section into and out 'of the same in the closing and opening of thev press. 4 f "I PETER DE MATTIA.

t lasV 

